The Year 2000 in Medieval & Renaissance Martial
Arts Looking back at an incredible
twelve months
The year 2000 was a monumental one for historical fencing,
and specifically for HACA (the former name of ARMA). It would probably be no exaggeration
to say it has been the most important year for the subject in the entire 20th
century (i.e., 1901 – 2000). We witnessed something of the recognition that a
legitimate community of serious enthusiasts and practitioners pursuing Medieval and
Renaissance fighting arts and swordplay has fully emerged. During 2000 we saw interest in
the accurate study of historical fencing expand all across the globe.
In 2000, Medieval and
Renaissance fighting arts took on an unprecedented level of excitement and significance as
important events and happenings occurred through the year. We also experienced a sense of
camaraderie and community as well constructive discourse take place among a diverse range
of students and instructors. We were exposed to previews of even more exciting things to
look forward to in the coming year, including new commercial training equipment, the
availability of new historical texts, upcoming special fencing events, further gatherings
of enthusiasts, and expected publication of several new books on swordplay.
Throughout much
of 2000 the HACA/ARMA was at the forefront of all this, freely offering new articles and
essays, editorials, advice, training tips, transcribed historical manuals, and newly found
manuals, as well as holding numerous special seminars and workshops. The influence of the ARMA Study-Approach and methodology could be found in much that
took place throughout the historical fencing community. HACA/ARMA itself saw expansive
growth this year with the long awaited adoption of its new Membership
Structure, featuring a variety of privileges and special advantages, as well as the
introduction of our new Training Program for students across North America to take part in
learning our methodology. Our Training Program is designed to let students experience ARMA’s curriculum of established drills, exercises,
and practice routines for the goal of Certification in our Ranking System. We also saw the
founding of no less than 11 new Study Groups around the globe and the formal awarding of a
prized Free-Scholar
ranking to one deserving member. We also began helping evaluate and develop commercial
prototypes of several types of historical fencing equipment, and we adopted several types
of new wasters and sparring equipment as well as tested several replica sword blades.
Among
the many significant things that occurred within the historical fencing community in the
past year were: the release of Dr. Sydney Anglo’s phenomenal book, The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe; the release of
a new modern English translation of Hans Talhoffer’s
famous 15th century Fechtbuch; and a major new text on historical replica
armoring. HACA/ARMA itself was proud to be able to help bring 5 new Medieval fencing manuals to the historical fencing community and
to acquire leads on obtaining several others. In March, HACA hosted a special workshop
with Keith Ducklin of the Royal
Armouries on their method. In May, we were proud to have hosted the inaugural meeting
of the unprecedented convention, Swordplay Symposium
International (SSI), without a doubt the most important historical fencing event of
2000.
This year we also held seminars
in Calgary, Canada and Training Program workshops in Houston. HACA/ARMA was also twice
featured in the French re-enactment magazine Histoire’ Medieval, and featured
in a segment of TheHistory Channel’s program on combat training as
well being profiled as in two newspaper articles. The website received on average of 500
individual readers a week and the ARMA Forums
reached an average of 8 new messages a day. There were also many, many additions to our Historical Artwork section and our online Training Guide.
This
year HACA/ARMA was again privileged to travel to Europe to conduct research and give
two very special and highly successful long-sword seminars,
this time in Krakow, Poland (the first of its kind in Eastern Europe) and Munich Germany.
In September, HACA/ARMA was also proud to attend as special guests, the Sword 2000 event in upstate NY, a unique gathering of swordsmiths
and sword collectors.
This
year, original HACA founder Hank Reinhardt finally left as consultant for Museum
Replicas’ Limited, to begin working in January with CAS Iberia on a new line of
affordable but historically accurate replica weapons. Several welcome organizations also
came into existence during 2000 to join the historical fencing community, including the
new European Historical Fencing Guild founded by John Waller, Head of Fight Interpretation
at the Royal Armouries in England. In 2000, there were Renaissance grappling and dagger
fighting workshops in Oxford and elsewhere; an enormous historical reenactment held in
England on the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings; and a first-ever historical
swordplay competition day even held in Moscow. The Wallace Collection museum in London
also held in their new pavilion their first-ever Armor Day and Sword Day, featuring
presentations of both antiques and authorities.
Among
the other happenings in 2000 were a rapier tournament in New York, sword days at the
Higgins Armory in Massachusetts, historical armored-combat demonstrations in Calgary, and
a major Western martial arts events in Toronto, Canada and Lansing, Michigan. There were
downsides as well to the year 2000 –injuries to colleagues, petty inter-group
rivalries and personality conflicts, continued disappointments with sword-makers, delays
in publications and frustrations in the release of historical manuals (and of course, more
of the usual stunningly bad swordplay in TV and Hollywood films). But, there was a
noticeable toning down of earlier bitterness among disagreeing enthusiasts, the continued
success of sword-related websites, and the recognition among book publishers of the value
of historical fencers as a real market. With such a year behind us, we now look forward to
an equally exciting 2001 and a range of special projects we are readying, including our
Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts Expo, continued seminars and Training Program
workshops, introduction of new training equipment, and addition of many upcoming essays
and video clips.
The
year 2001 should also see the publication of several books on historical European
swordplay, including two titles by the ARMA Director and the first of the long-awaited
Training Videos. There are also plans from Paladin Press for a new series of reproductions
of historical fencing manuals as well as the release of both a sword-cutting and sword
& shield fighting video by Hank Reinhardt. The ARMA online homebase will feature
numerous special articles as well as some very special exclusives for general readers as
well as Associate Members and much more. Availability of period fighting texts will also
continue in the coming year, and we will feature them along with new translations of
current manuals. ARMA (HACA) will continue to be the leading source of Medieval and
Renaissance fencing, promoting earnest study of this subject as legitimate martial art,
advancing our teaching curriculum, and continuing our role as thealternative.
For all of us pursuing this subject, we are on the verge of a golden age in our craft; we
have only just barely begun to study. It is an exciting time to be involved.
The year 2000 was a monumental one for historical fencing,
and specifically for HACA (the former name of ARMA). It would probably be no exaggeration
to say it has been the most important year for the subject in the entire 20th
century (i.e., 1901 – 2000). We witnessed something of the recognition that a
legitimate community of serious enthusiasts and practitioners pursuing Medieval and
Renaissance fighting arts and swordplay has fully emerged. During 2000 we saw interest in
the accurate study of historical fencing expand all across the globe. 
In 2000, Medieval and
Renaissance fighting arts took on an unprecedented level of excitement and significance as
important events and happenings occurred through the year. We also experienced a sense of
camaraderie and community as well constructive discourse take place among a diverse range
of students and instructors. We were exposed to previews of even more exciting things to
look forward to in the coming year, including new commercial training equipment, the
availability of new historical texts, upcoming special fencing events, further gatherings
of enthusiasts, and expected publication of several new books on swordplay. 
Throughout much
of 2000 the HACA/ARMA was at the forefront of all this, freely offering new articles and
essays, editorials, advice, training tips, transcribed historical manuals, and newly found
manuals, as well as holding numerous special seminars and workshops. The influence of the 
Among
the many significant things that occurred within the historical fencing community in the
past year were: the release of Dr. Sydney Anglo’s phenomenal book, 
This year we also held 
This
year HACA/ARMA was again privileged to travel to Europe to conduct research and give
two very special and highly successful 
This
year, original HACA founder Hank Reinhardt finally left as consultant for Museum
Replicas’ Limited, to begin working in January with CAS Iberia on a new line of
affordable but historically accurate replica weapons. Several welcome organizations also
came into existence during 2000 to join the historical fencing community, including the
new European Historical Fencing Guild founded by John Waller, Head of Fight Interpretation
at the Royal Armouries in England. In 2000, there were Renaissance grappling and dagger
fighting workshops in Oxford and elsewhere; an enormous historical reenactment held in
England on the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings; and a first-ever historical
swordplay competition day even held in Moscow. The Wallace Collection museum in London
also held in their new pavilion their first-ever Armor Day and Sword Day, featuring
presentations of both antiques and authorities. 
Among
the other happenings in 2000 were a rapier tournament in New York, sword days at the
Higgins Armory in Massachusetts, historical armored-combat demonstrations in Calgary, and
a major Western martial arts events in Toronto, Canada and Lansing, Michigan. There were
downsides as well to the year 2000 –injuries to colleagues, petty inter-group
rivalries and personality conflicts, continued disappointments with sword-makers, delays
in publications and frustrations in the release of historical manuals (and of course, more
of the usual stunningly bad swordplay in TV and Hollywood films). But, there was a
noticeable toning down of earlier bitterness among disagreeing enthusiasts, the continued
success of sword-related websites, and the recognition among book publishers of the value
of historical fencers as a real market. With such a year behind us, we now look forward to
an equally exciting 2001 and a range of special projects we are readying, including our
Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts Expo, continued seminars and Training Program
workshops, introduction of new training equipment, and addition of many upcoming essays
and video clips. 
The
year 2001 should also see the publication of several books on historical European
swordplay, including two titles by the ARMA Director and the first of the long-awaited
Training Videos. There are also plans from Paladin Press for a new series of reproductions
of historical fencing manuals as well as the release of both a sword-cutting and sword
& shield fighting video by Hank Reinhardt. The ARMA online homebase will feature
numerous special articles as well as some very special exclusives for general readers as
well as Associate Members and much more. Availability of period fighting texts will also
continue in the coming year, and we will feature them along with new translations of
current manuals. ARMA (HACA) will continue to be the leading source of Medieval and
Renaissance fencing, promoting earnest study of this subject as legitimate martial art,
advancing our teaching curriculum, and continuing our role as the alternative.
For all of us pursuing this subject, we are on the verge of a golden age in our craft; we
have only just barely begun to study. It is an exciting time to be involved.
